12-Day Six Ecuadorian Peaks With Cotopaxi and Chimborazo

Arrive Quito, transfer to your hotel.

Meals included: n/a
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Embassy

This morning, drive to the Otavalo region approx. 2 hours north of Quito. Dinner and night at hotel.  We visited the indigenous market of Otavalo, the most important in the country and well known all over the world. Here we find, clothes and handicrafts, colors, textures and life! After that, we go to Cuicocha Lake in the heart of the Cotachachi-Cayapas Reserve.

This huge lake lays within an ancient crater of Cotacachi volcano (4944m), the “mother” who, according to local cosmovision, is covered in clouds when “taita Imbabura” visits her. Hiking around the lake, is at an average elevation (3000 m – 3480 m), ideal for acclimatization, we discover a very varied flora, a splendid view over the lake and a surrounding landscape. In the afternoon, we went through the village of Cotacachi and transfer to Otavalo

• 4 hours 30min walking, +400/-400m
• Transport hours 2h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Indio Inn

In the morning, transfer to the Mojanda lakes (3700 m), then easy ascent to Fuya Fuya (4279 m). Around 4 to 5 h walking would be necessary to join the summit. Easy ascent, although little stiff at the end but without technical difficulties. Lunch picnic.

Return to Otavalo, visit the Peguche, this is a beautiful waterfall of 18 m in height, formed by the river of the same name, which starts at Lake San Pablo. The waterfall is one of the most important tourist attractions of Otavalo, after transfer to La Esperanza small town.

• 4 to 5 hours walking, +600/-600m
• Transport hours: 2h30

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hostel Casa Aida

Early morning departure with the vehicle to reach the start of the trail, climbing up the Imbabura volcano. Hike between 3400 m and 4200 m. Beautiful views on the Otavalo area and Yahuarcocha lake. Depending on the physical condition of the group it is possible to get to the "Taita Imbabura" summit (4621 m). This ascent does not involve any difficulty but it demands a steadfast physical effort of at least 6 hours. Box lunch. We will return to Otavalo, after to Quito.

• Walk hours: 7.5 h walking, + 1200/-1200m
• Transport hours: 3.5h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Embassy

Breakfast and departure for the ascent of the Pichincha volcano by cable railway until Cruz Loma at 4050 m of altitude. Imposing sight and unforgettable point of view on the capital and the highest Ecuadorian summits.

Descent by the same way and route this time southward, following the famous "Volcanoes Valley" until the north entrance of la region “El chaupi”. Route to reach the small village of El Chaupi located at the foot of the twin summit Illinizas Norte and Sur, where we set up in a rural hostel. Dinner and night at the hostel

• Walk hours: 5.5 h walking, + 650/-650m
• Transport hours: 3.5h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hostel La Llovizna

Early in the morning we leave the hostel by vehicle up to the place known as "La Virgen" (3900 m). From there 2 or 3 hours walking up to arrive at the pass between the two summits. And from there, 2 more hours will be necessary to climb the north peak of the Illinizas (5126 m). This route does not present any difficulty. We hike through paramos and rocks, sometimes this summit has some snow and mud. Sometimes we just need "to use your hands." Back to "La Virgen" and we go down by vehicle back to El Chaupi. Night at the hostel.

• Walk hours: 7 to 8 h walking. +1200/-1200m
• Total Transport: around 1h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hostel La Llovizna

Meeting with your guide and departure in private vehicle via the "Valley of the Volcanoes". After we enter the Cotopaxi National Park and we go up by vehicle on a dusty road that ends 200 m below the Cotopaxi refuge (4600 m). Picking up of your equipment, loading of the food in your backpacks and up to the refuge: there are about 1 hour walk on a cinder path to reach the refuge. Installation in the refuge and classes start: practice and theory on the techniques of rope and knots, relay, study of the material and its areas of application. Diner and night at the refuge.

• Walk hours: 1-2 h walking. +200m
• Total Transport: around 1.5 h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio Coto

After a midnight alarm call we aim to depart from the refuge at 1:00 AM to climb the world's highest active volcano (5897m). This is an almost glacier ascent but without any major difficulties. Crevasses are not numerous and are well marked. Only the presence of fresh snow or strong winds can make this ascent a difficult one. It will take you around 5 to 6 hours to appreciate the magnificent huge summit cone. Back to the refuge around 10:00 AM for a light lunch before continuing down to the road head. Lunch in the route and we continue to Baños, a charming little thermal town (1800 m) located at the food of the active Tungurahua volcano and well known for his warm sulfurous water pools. Night at the hotel.

• Walk hours: 1 to 2 h walking. +1090/-1290m
• Total Transport: around 1.5 h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Santa Clara

Free day in this charming little thermal town. You will visit the wonderful Banos village where you can enjoy the beauty of central Ecuador, take a walk to Pailon del Diablo and Manto de la Novia waterfalls and Casa del Arbol to have a spectacular view of Baños. Many activities are possible: warm sulfurous water pools, horseback riding, mountain biking, hikes in the mountains surrounding Baños, shopping or just relaxing.

• Transport hours: 1h30

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Santa Clara

We leave Banos by vehicle and reach the Chimborazo high camp. Today we head for the last summit: Chimborazo. This impressive mountain is the highest in Ecuador with 6310 m and its summit is the spot on earth that is closest to the sun. Edward Whymper was the first one to climb it in 1880, and we will follow the same route today. The car will bring we up to 4800 m from where we will walk for about 45 minutes to 1 hour to the refuge Whymper (5000 m). After that we hike to high camp. There, we will rest before trying the summit at night.

• 1 hour walking to the refuge. +/-200 meters
• Transport hours: 2h30

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Chimborazo High Camp

Wake up at night and departure from the refuge at midnight. The itinerary, following the seasons, the conditions of snow coverage or the state of the ice, may present important technical or security problems; in every case, this is an endurance route, so a very good physical condition and acclimatization are essential. The difficulties are mainly the altitude and the height difference (1310 m). From 8 to 9 hours are necessary to reach Ecuador's highest summit. Back to the refuge and we leave to go back to Quito. Lunch in a restaurant and we continue to Quito.

• 8 to 12 hours walking to refuge. +1300 /-1500
• Transport hours: 3h

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Embassy

This morning, we go through the city, it was the old North Capital from the Inca Empire and actual Equator Capital. "Quito, Luz de America" (Quito, Light of America), named by Simon Bolivar, it is located at 2850m over sea level, it is the second highest capital of the world after La Paz. We discover a wonderful Colonial downtown declared by UNESCO as Humanity Patrimony in 1978. Buildings, churches, squares and streets reveal a history, exquisite mix of culture and identities. Free Lunch. According to the international flight schedule, free time. Transfer to the airport and flight of return.

Meals included: Breakfast